What training does an anaesthetic nurse require?

To fully understand the answer to this question, you need to understand the initial nursing qualification levels within Australia first.

There are two levels of anaesthetic nurses within Australia.

The Enrolled Nurse (or Registered Nurse Division 2) is defined by ACORN’s NR3 document. Typically this level of nurse has undergone a Diploma in Nursing of between 12 & 18 months duration, and is recognised by the Nursing regulating Authorities as a nurse (supervised). This group of nurses practice in accordance with their scope of practice as defined by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council’s ‘EN Competency Standards’ (2002)

The Registered Nurse (or Registered Nurse Division Nurse 1) has undergone a 3 year undergraduate degree within the University or Tertiary Education sector that has been endorsed to provide nursing education by the nursing regulatory authorities within Australia. This group of nurses practice in accordance within their scope of practice as defined by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council’s ‘RN Competency Standards’ (2006)

In addition to the level of nursing qualification, the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists describe their educational preparation for their ‘anaesthetic assistant’ in PS8 (2008) – see educational requirements and continuing education for assistants. The educational preparation may occur in hospital, vocational or tertiary educational sectors.

The Birthing Kit Foundation – donations for birthing kit purchases

In Quentin Bryce’s words “There is no greater gift than the best possible start in life, and this lifesaving initiative is helping reduce infections in mother and baby at childbirth.”
To be a part of the solution to stop women and babies dying from infections in childbirth visit our website to see how a simple clean birthing kit “costing less than a cup of coffee” is saving lives.
For further information or to make a donation, please visit www.birthingkitfoundation.org.au